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Bellydance Jam is the creation of the Bellyqueen dynamic duo, Kaeshi Chai and Amar Gamal. Aimed at a mainstream audience, Bellydance Jam is part of the new genre of dance videos that teach belly dance moves for club goers.

The DVD starts out with an introduction by Kaeshi and Amar, explaining the concept of the video and the differences between performance dancing versus club dancing. "When putting on a show, the belly dancer's form will be more stylized," explains Kaeshi. "In social dancing, the form is usually looser and more relaxed." This is important to remember when watching the video, as performance technique is not the ultimate goal.

The technique section begins with an fluid five-minute warm-up. Warm-ups are often a problem in dance and exercise videos, as there is seldom enough time devoted to it. Despite the brevity, the warm-up movements provided by Bellyqueen are excellent; the involvement of kinesiologist Dr. Jeffrey Lark and Laban movement specialist Ellen Goldman, who consulted on the DVD, is evident.
In fact, it is focus on muscle groups throughout each movement that make this video stand out.

After the warm-up Kaeshi and Amar alternate between demonstrating and narrating the foundation moves, which are the focus of the technique section. Such movements include shoulder circles and shimmies, chest lifts, drops and circles, hip circles, figure eights, omis and locks, and undulations and contractions. Traveling
steps include three-point turns and basic walks. While the technique of these movements is described, not much time is spent on it. Each movement is demonstrated quickly then shown with variations while the narration encourages the viewer to "feel like a star" and "free those hips!" While this keeps the video moving, it also gives it more of an exercise feel as opposed to an instructional feel.

After three or four movements are demonstrated, they are strung together into short combinations which are later used in the choreography segment called the BQ Boogie. This choreography, which can best be described as belly dance meets the Macarena, is a fun combination of basic dance moves intended for club goers. Six counts of eight are repeated to each wall much like a line dance.
Once the routine is taught, the girls take it to the dance floor; dressed in street clothes they demonstrate the BQ Boogie in a club-simulated environment with other club goers following along in the background.

The video also includes a chapter on improvisation, which I found especially
interesting. This is not a topic generally touched upon in most beginner dance videos. But as Bellyqueen points outs, it's a large part of the dance form and is often difficult for beginner students. Since Bellyqueen is a dance team, and
because the video is focused on club dancing, the section also includes tips on how to freestyle with a partner. Improvisation skills can be difficult to teach in a video format, the Bellyqueen does an excellent job pinpointing the roots to troubles
students might be facing and suggesting tips to overcome them. Bellyqueen then takes us through a guided improvisation, an exercise which I found also works great in the classroom.

Special features on the DVD include dance performances by Kaeshi, Amar and Bellyqueen, and interviews with the dancers and musicians. For me, these features alone are worth the inexpensive price of $17.98. My only complaint is the awkward camera angles in Amar Gamal's drum solo with drummer Mal Stein. There's no question that Amar is a skilled and dynamic soloist, but it's hard to tell from this video. The camera either focuses on tight shots of her hips, face or feet, or it gives a long shot which, while visually artistic, makes it impossible to see any of her refined movements. I also would have loved tosee a full Bellyqueen performance rather than just a performance montage.

Bellydance Jam is exceptionally produced with clear sound and picture. For newbie dancers looking for basic instruction and technique, it might be little quick-paced, but certainly gives the most bang for its buck (and hey, that's what the
rewind is for, right?). Sold on Amazon and other mainstream markets, it serves as a wonderful ambassador for our dance form to new audiences, particularly the younger set.

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DVD provided by and can be purchased from Bellyqueen:
http://www.bellyqueen.com/store.html